Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter

PUNXSUTAWNEY – Sunday, Pennsylvania’s world-famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter after emerging from his Gobbler’s Knob burrow and seeing his shadow.

 

To help celebrate the 139-year-old tradition, Governor Josh Shapiro and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger attended the event, demonstrating its importance to the Commonwealth. Tourism is a key piece of the

Governor’s economic development strategy, generating $76 billion and supporting more than 486,000 jobs each year in Pennsylvania.

 

“People across the country and around the world have their eyes on Pennsylvania today for Phil’s prognostication for 2025,” said Anne Ryan, DCED Deputy Secretary of Tourism.

“Today’s event is one of many that makes our Commonwealth unique. It underscores Governor Shapiro’s continued commitment to elevating the tourism industry by supporting local activities and providing opportunity to businesses statewide by increasing the number of people who visit Pennsylvania.”

 

The annual event, which proclaims Punxsutawney Phil to be the one-and-only weather prognosticating groundhog, dates to 1886. Since then, tens of thousands of people gather each year on February 2 to watch the groundhog emerge, further popularized in film and on Broadway. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he doesn’t see his shadow, Phil promises an early spring.

 

“It’s humbling to be part of one of the nation’s most inclusive and fun-filled celebrations, where all Americans can come together and simply have a good time,” said Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Thomas A. Dunkel. “It truly seemed like this was yet again a record-breaking year for Gobbler’s Knob and Punxsutawney. And whatever people think about Phil’s predictions, we can all agree it was another amazing Groundhog Day for the books.”

 

Groundhog Day is just one of the countless experiences across Pennsylvania that await visitors. The Pennsylvania Tourism Office provide updates about other memorable events through VisitPA.com.

 

“A little more winter is something to be excited about in Pennsylvania,” added Deputy

Secretary Ryan. “Phil’s predictions mean good news for the Commonwealth’s more than 20 winter resorts from the Poconos in the east and the Allegheny Mountains in the west. Visitors will have a few extra weeks to head to the mountains or explore the winter beauty of

Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks before spring arrives. There’s no better time to plan your Great American Getaway in Pennsylvania.”

 

Need inspiration for your next Great American Getaway? Head to visitpa.com to find travel inspiration, and stay up-to-date with Visit PA on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube.

 

Since his inauguration, Governor Shapiro and his Administration have worked aggressively to make Pennsylvania a leader in innovation and economic development and create economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.

 

In addition to launching “The Great American Getaway” brand and securing $15 million in state funding for tourism marketing, Governor Shapiro has had a number of major economic development successes at the midway point of his first term including:

 

• Securing $500 million in state funds to significantly expand the PA SITES program to develop shovel-ready sites and bring more commercial and industrial sites to

Pennsylvania, building on the success of the pilot program that awarded $10.6 million to seven projects.

• Expanding opportunities for small, minority-owned businesses by securing a $20 million investment for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program in his first and second

 

• Governor Shapiro announced a historic plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh with a $62 million investment that will help spur nearly $600 million in total investment to revitalize the community as a thriving center for economic growth, culture, and industry and create over 3,000 jobs.

 

Visit Governor Shapiro’s Accomplishments website to explore the Administration’s interactive midterm report and download a detailed PDF overview of accomplishments.